Nearly 20 St. Patrick’s Day parades are set to step off this weekend, through Friday, Saturday and Sunday, despite concerns over the coronavirus. The South Amboy parade was postponed Wednesday, borough officials said. It will now take place May 16.

“Don’t kiss anyone you don’t know,” Dougherty stated on the town’s Facebook page Tuesday afternoon, in a message meant to minimize the spread of the coronavirus.

“Carry sanitizer if you have it,” Dougherty added, reiterating more standard advice from the federal Centers for Disease Control and other health experts. “Wash your hands throughout the day. Take the same precautions you would if you had the flu. And be sure to follow the guidance of local health officials and the CDC.”

“The public perception of the threat can easily be overshadowed by the fear of the unknown and misinformation.” said West Orange Mayor Robert Parisi. The overall situation is best left to the advice of experts in the field who are better suited to guide us. I would urge everyone to enjoy the parade while being aware of the stated precautions with a heighten sense of awareness. I look forward to seeing the many familiar faces at the parade as planned.”